The *NEW* Polynesian Resort FAQ thread - *2008*

[dishm12/08]

I have a saying that my family knows I repeat over and over. "Disney is there to separate you from your money. The faster you realize that and make peace with it, the more relaxing of a vacation you'll have."

Ain't that the truth. I rarely leave a Disney store empty handed. I can only imagine the real thing.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Anybody out there craving a Dole Whip right about now???

YUMMMMMM

Oh, my! Look at my ticker - 3 days, I need to get packing!

RachelTori, I think we BOTH better start packing! I haven't even pulled the suitcases out yet. YEEEE!!!

 

[PNO4TE]

I just want to say how much I appreciate this thread! I feel very "at home" here!

I just spent 20 minutes looking at the crowd calculator at touringplans.com, seeing what November looks like...yes, I think I might be a little nuts...we're still five months from our first WDW vacation and I'm already trying to plan the next one!

*facepalm*

I should have said it's our first STAY at WDW! First time staying at a resort, first time getting table service meals, using Disney transportation, park-hopping, etc.

We lived in Orlando from 1996 - 2003, so we did a couple of daytrips then. I also vividly remember my very first time -- I was 7! It was May 1972! I wanted to stay at the Polynesian even then! My folks stayed there for their 50th wedding anniversary, and now we'll be there for our 20th!

You will love it!

The Poly was our resort of choice for first trip staying at WDW together as a family of 4. Waaaay back in 1988! (We had been to WDW a few times before that, but stayed off property.) We have also stayed there 5-6 times since then but...

55+ trips later and my DH and I are headed back to the Poly in September to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary.

 

[mickey2minnie1]

Anybody out there craving a Dole Whip right about now???

YUMMMMMM



RachelTori, I think we BOTH better start packing! I haven't even pulled the suitcases out yet. YEEEE!!!

How about some tonga toast tomorrow when you wake up with a hot cup of tea with it. Yum!!

 

[janiebegood]

You will love it!

The Poly was our resort of choice for first trip staying at WDW together as a family of 4. Waaaay back in 1988! (We had been to WDW a few times before that, but stayed off property.) We have also stayed there 5-6 times since then but...

55+ trips later and my DH and I are headed back to the Poly in September to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary.

Awwwww! Congratulations, Elin! How wonderful that you found something you enjoy doing so much together!

My spouse is a bit of a Disney curmudgeon (which is funny, since he's generally the most easy-going of guys, patient as the day is long, and very willing to go with the flow). He said he went with our niece in 1997, and now he's going with our daughter in 2008, and he figures he's got "one more" Disney trip in him.

My hope is that four days at the Polynesian will change his mind and I can start working on that November 2009 plan!

 

[DiznEeyore]

You will love it!

The Poly was our resort of choice for first trip staying at WDW together as a family of 4. Waaaay back in 1988! (We had been to WDW a few times before that, but stayed off property.) We have also stayed there 5-6 times since then but...

55+ trips later and my DH and I are headed back to the Poly in September to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary.

The Poly is also our "anniversary resort". We stayed there for our 10th, our 15th, and plan to return for our 20th in 3 years.

 

[Picabo]

My hope is that four days at the Polynesian will change his mind and I can start working on that November 2009 plan!

I'm in the SAME boat as you are! DH has never ever been to Disney and honestly don't have any interest. He's simply going since I'm making him and he'll be a good sport for the girls. The ONLY reason we're splurging to stay at the Poly is b/c I want him to be WOW'd into wanting to go back again. Of course, that'll mean more expensive Poly trips b/c I'm sure once we go once, we can't go to anything else! hehe

I'm contemplating doing a CR/Poly split to help cut the costs. Is this a stupid idea with a 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 yr old and a non-Disney husband? Is it tackling too much? I figure "how hard can it be to switch hotels when they are both on the monorail". Just not sure if it's worth the diff in money to split it. Was thinking 2nts CR and 5nts Poly or 3/4...something like that.

 

[janiebegood]

I'm contemplating doing a CR/Poly split to help cut the costs. Is this a stupid idea with a 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 yr old and a non-Disney husband? Is it tackling too much? I figure "how hard can it be to switch hotels when they are both on the monorail". Just not sure if it's worth the diff in money to split it. Was thinking 2nts CR and 5nts Poly or 3/4...something like that.

Picabo, we really are on the same page...I was already contemplating making the "next time" a Contemporary stay! I'm sure CR Resort Fan 4 Life would approve!

We had friends who stayed at the CR over MLK weekend and said they would do it again in a heartbeat. We're doing Poly theme-park view this time -- really doing it right for DD's first trip and our anniversary -- but I think maybe next time, I could settle for non-view CR. Being on the monorail is still a BIG plus for me, and I vividly remember how cool I thought the CR was on that same 1972 trip! The monorail went RIGHT THROUGH the building!!!

I don't think I'd switch resorts halfway through, but that's just me -- I'm lazy!

 

[PNO4TE]

Awwwww! Congratulations, Elin! How wonderful that you found something you enjoy doing so much together!

My spouse is a bit of a Disney curmudgeon (which is funny, since he's generally the most easy-going of guys, patient as the day is long, and very willing to go with the flow). He said he went with our niece in 1997, and now he's going with our daughter in 2008, and he figures he's got "one more" Disney trip in him.

My hope is that four days at the Polynesian will change his mind and I can start working on that November 2009 plan!

Oh, so is mine! But he loves me and he knows I love WDW. So he relents. I have had him admit lately that he does enjoy those trips even if he rolls his eyes when I mention that it is time to plan.

Keep at it. There are lots of things for husbands who don't love WDW like we do to find to occupy their time there. Mine says he goes for "the resort experience" when I hear him telling friends where we are headed (again).

 

[PNO4TE]

The Poly is also our "anniversary resort". We stayed there for our 10th, our 15th, and plan to return for our 20th in 3 years.

When my husband said, "I am homesick for the Poly" I immediately called CRO and booked it! He has not often had any desire to have input into our resort locations so when he expressed interest in one I wanted to make certain he got what he wanted! We spent our 25th anniversary at the BC... his choice that trip too.

 

[momom]

Did anyone just back notice if they have oatmeal at breakfast at Captain Cooks? I didn't see it on any of the online menus I looked at. TIA

 

[DiznEeyore]

When my husband said, "I am homesick for the Poly" I immediately called CRO and booked it! He has not often had any desire to have input into our resort locations so when he expressed interest in one I wanted to make certain he got what he wanted! We spent our 25th anniversary at the BC... his choice that trip too.

Great that you were able to seize the moment like that!

 

[PNO4TE]

Great that you were able to seize the moment like that!

Yes... very sneaky... er, I mean... smart of me!

 

[DeblovesPoohbear]

In the very first post, you mention a grotto slide? What is that?
A water slide to the pool?

 

[Me&3]

Anybody out there craving a Dole Whip right about now???

YUMMMMMM



RachelTori, I think we BOTH better start packing! I haven't even pulled the suitcases out yet. YEEEE!!!

I think we should all start packing !!! I love taking trips it the packing I don't like and the end of the trip

 

[BCV23]

In the very first post, you mention a grotto slide? What is that?
A water slide to the pool?

The original activity pool at the Polynesian had a most excellent slide that was set in a grotto. My sons loved it. Much shorter than the current one but they liked it much better.

 

[BCV23]

I think we should all start packing !!! I love taking trips it the packing I don't like and the end of the trip

Aren't you packing yet? Just kidding...have a great trip!

 

[Aliceacc]

Only 21 more days till we're at the Poly!!!!

I can't WAIT!!!

 

[Picabo]

Has anyone ever done a split stay Poly/AKL? Am TRYING to cut costs a BIT (I know AKL won't help much though) and was thinking of doing POLY for 5nts at teh start (with a dining/ticket package) THEN moving to AK for 2-3nts (without a package, just using exisiting tickets but doing meals on our own) We'll have a 2 and 3 yr old...so maybe not a good idea to move??? I just figure for AK and DHS and DTD we need to take a bus anyhow so why not just stay at a cheaper hotel for a few nights to help cut costs? Thoughts??

THANKS!

 

[jackemail]

Has anyone ever done a split stay Poly/AKL? Am TRYING to cut costs a BIT (I know AKL won't help much though) and was thinking of doing POLY for 5nts at teh start (with a dining/ticket package) THEN moving to AK for 2-3nts (without a package, just using exisiting tickets but doing meals on our own) We'll have a 2 and 3 yr old...so maybe not a good idea to move??? I just figure for AK and DHS and DTD we need to take a bus anyhow so why not just stay at a cheaper hotel for a few nights to help cut costs? Thoughts??

THANKS!

We have done that split. We did AKL first because half of us love seeing the animals, then moved to Poly because the other half of the family just love Poly. We did AK and MGM while we were at AKL, with no transportation problems. It's easy to do a split stay, but it would depend on how much you and the kids love to watch the animals at AKL!

You could always stay at a mod for the first couple of nights, then move to Poly.